Angle shaft coupling



Oct. 15, 1940. sMn- 2,218,303

ANGLE SHAFT COUPLING Filed June 21, 1959 v M I l I I I f l2 IJ /6I \& y37 q? Inventor A iiorneys Patented Oct. 15, 1940 ANGLE SHAFT COUPLINGAlbert T. Smith, Redwood City, Calif. Application June 21, 1939, SerialNo. 280,423

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to that class of mechanism by which motionis transmitted from one to the other of two shafts placed at an angle toeach other, and has for its primary object to 5 provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth,

a device of this character embodying a novel construction, combinationand arrangement of parts through the medium of which motion may betransmitted with a maximum of efiiciency.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a mechanism of theaforementioned character which will be comparatively simple inconstruction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use,compact, light in weight, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing whereinlike characters of reference designate corresponding parts r throughoutthe several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my invention shown partly in transversesection. Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the inven tion.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of one of the angle rods, and

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line55 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail it will be seen that thereference numeral i designates an L-shaped shaft housing, constructed ofmetal or other suitable material, into which is rotatably mounted theshafts 8 and 9. Each of the shafts 8 and Q has formed at one end portionthereof an enlarged head ill each of which has formed therein a seriesof axial bores ll. Within the head portions l6 and adjacent the innerends of the bores ii there are grooves l?! for receiving anchoringblocks i3. Other grooves i i are formed around the heads 99 andcommunicate with the bores it and grooves l2 through ducts l5 and HE.

A series of L-shaped rods ll are slidably engageable in the bores I l asbest shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

The anchoring blocks 83 have small bores l8 therethrough forcommunicating with the bores I l in the heads l9, and are fixed to theL-shaped shaft housing through the medium of screws [9 as shown inFigure l of the drawing.

The operation of the device is believed to be manifest, but may bebriefly described as follows:

' When the shaft 8 is rotated in the housing 1 the L-shaped bars lltransmit said motion to shaft 9. The grooves H and ducts l5 and iii areprovided. to prevent partial vacuum and compression in the bores ll whenthe L-shaped rods ll re- 10 ciprocate therein. Also the bores and ductsprovide passage for a lubricant.

The most important feature of this drive is the complete elimination ofthrust both lateral and radial. Thrust in each shaft driving and drivenis constantly cancelled out by driving pins moving in oppositedirection.

This drive is especially adapted to right angle speedometer andtachometer use taking place of the conventional gear drive .with theinherent thrust in that type of drive.

While I have referred to this as a right angle drive it can be built andwill operate equally successfully at any angle up to and including 90degrees. 25

Although I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire tolimit the application of the invention thereto,

7 and any change or changes may be made in the materials and in thestructure and arrangement of parts, within the spirit of the inventionas claimed.

What is claimed is:

The combination of two rotary shafts adapted .to rotate about axesintersecting at an angle, each of said rotary shafts including anenlarged head portion, each enlarged head portion having annular groovesand further having longitudinal bores communicating with said grooves toprovide a passage for a lubricant, L-shap-ed rods having their endportions mounted in said bores for transmitting rotary motion from oneof said shafts tothe other, an L-shaped housing for said shafts,semi-circular blocks in said housing engaged in certainof said groovesand anchoring means for securing said semi-circular blocks in saidL-shaped housing to prevent longitudinal movement of said shaftstherein.

ALBERT T. SMITH.

